Skip to main content

Experts agree: Say goodbye to all white decor

All white rooms are a thing of the past in home design

All white rooms are becoming a thing of the past. What was once a symbol of sleek sophistication is now being replaced with bold colors, textures, and warm tones. Not only does it add more personality to a space, but all white spaces are generally impossible to keep clean, especially if you have kids or pets. Plus, people spend more time in their homes than ever before, and they want pieces of their personality to stand out. Don’t just take it from me; here are a few predictions from the experts.

All white is out

Jon Sanborn, real estate investor and co-founder of SD House Guys, knows home design is ever-evolving as homeowners’ tastes change and new technologies develop. One home design trend he thinks will be disappearing in 2023 is all-white kitchens. “All-white kitchens were very popular in the past few years, but we think they’ll start to fall out of favor as homeowners become more adventurous with their color schemes,” he said.

Zara O’Hare, the Interior Design Specialist at Land of Rugs and owner of an interior design consultancy, knows how to spot the latest interior design trends to ensure her product offerings remain at the forefront of what others are doing. She, too, believes white is on the way out. “For the past few years, all-white interiors have been all the rage,” she said. “But, this trend is losing its luster. All-white everything can feel cold and sterile. Plus, it’s impossible to keep an all-white space clean. In 2023, we’ll be seeing more homes with pops of color and warmer hues.”

contrasting minimalism home design

Minimalism is a thing of the past

George Crew, a general and painting contractor with Chicago Paint Crew, also believes white interior is impractical and a bit boring. “The blank canvas, the all-off-white trend, is becoming too dull and frankly not very livable with people spending more time in their homes,” Crew said. “They don’t want to feel uninspired and bland. Think about your spaces from all your senses. Look, feel, emotions, smell, and function.”

He also said people are thinking in layers when it comes to their homes. “From finding the right furniture like Turkish rugs, art pieces can add layers of design and color throughout a room,” he explained. One of the easiest ways to do this is to add paint color as your background or canvas to your room. “For example, if you like French-inspired interiors, many people are adding picture framing to walls with color to add detail,” he said. “You can paint a wall a nice medium silver, and the picture framing really sets the tone and emotion for the room as refined and designed. Adding layers of furniture and artwork to the walls help shape a room.”

While white interiors can serve as a blank slate and contour up feelings of serenity, spending time in a place that feels cozy and inspiring is something you may want to consider as you move into 2023.

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These are the top home design trends, according to Zillow listings
These are the must-have designs according to Zillow
indoor outdoor decor ideas patio area

If you love looking at homes (whether you're in the market or not), Zillow is one of the premiere sites to do so. Not only does it give a good idea of what's available and coming available in your area, you can get home prices, up-and-coming neighborhoods, and plenty of design ideas when perusing homes. According to a recent study of millions of active for-sale Zillow listings, they even help to identify this year's most sought-after design trends. Here's what they had to say.

Outdoor spaces
Gorgeous outdoor spaces are having a moment, and for good reason. People are still spending more time at home post-pandemic, and having space outside to soak in the sun and be in nature is important. Backyards were mentioned 22% more often in for-sale listings last year when comparing them against the year prior. "The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed the way we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution,” said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “When the pandemic forced all entertaining outdoors, homeowners reclaimed their backyards from the kids or the dogs.”
Mirror, mirror on the wall
While outdoor spaces make sense, this next one may surprise you. Mirrored walls, like those that were popular circa 1970-1980s are coming back. "Mirrored walls and even mirrored ceilings have been showing up 12% more than the year before," according to the study, but with a bit of a twist. This time, more antique or vintage-inspired mirrors are on trend, especially when they make a small or dark room feel more spacious and bright.
Other notable mentions
Other trends rising in popularity over the last year are private nooks in a home, even in ones that are more open concept. Think reading nooks, private yoga spaces, or just a quiet, well-thought-out space where you can spend some time alone. Another mention is continuing the use of vintage materials like wood and muted metals to keep a home feeling warm and lived in. Finally, kitchen islands are continuing to stay popular as we use our kitchens for entertaining, family dinners, work, and play. The bigger, the better, and the use of color that offsets them from the rest of the space are still very much trending.

Read more
These are the best online sites to buy thrifted furniture
Snag your next thrift find from one of these amazing online vintage stores
Vintage decor with grandmillenial chaise lounge and traditional cabinet

When it comes to snagging amazing thrift finds, we often head straight to our local shops. However, while local thrift and vintage stores can be a great way to save money and find unique pieces, they can also be a bit hit or miss.

Thankfully, online marketplaces offer us a chance to find original pieces for affordable prices and from the comfort of our homes. These online stores provide all the benefits of thrifting without the hassle of driving to your local store and sifting through the decor section for hours, only to walk away empty-handed. So, here are some of the best online places to buy vintage and thrifted furniture.

Read more
5 easy ways to spruce up your living room for spring
The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Here's how to bring that energy into your living room
Living room with warm yellow curtains

Spring is here, and we couldn't be more excited! This means temperatures starting to warm, birds chirping, flowers beginning to bloom, and spring cleaning. There are so many ways to introduce spring into your home, and — as a place where family and friends gather to watch movies, play games, and relax after a long day — the living room is the perfect place to start.

If you're thinking about updating your living room this spring, you may want to start by decluttering. It can help give you a sense of what to keep, donate, or throw away, and will help you see the space more clearly.

Read more